The British Red Cross is helping people in the Maldives recover from the tsunami by re-establishing their livelihoods, part of which involves building houses that can withstand future disasters. In all, the British Red Cross - part of the worlds largest humanitarian organisation - is building over 700 houses on the six of the worst affected islands.
There is no doubt that these houses are badly needed. When the tsunami hit the Maldives 2,000 houses were completely destroyed, leaving 10,000 people homeless. Mike Goodhand, head of logistics at the British Red Cross, who recently returned from the Maldives, said Every single person we have talked to said that their starting point is the house. They couldn't begin to think about opening up a carpenters shop or start working on their land until they have somewhere safe to live.
A boy sitting outside the temporary shelters on Madifushi, Maldives. (Ref: RC4)
Six Benfield ATT DiRReP (Disaster Relief, Relocatable or Permanent) housing kits, which comprise both open and closed-cell Timber Frame Panels, will be erected to serve as construction site offices on the islands (more info).
A concrete house destroyed by the tsunami in Madifushi, Maldives. (Ref: RC5)
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A house destroyed by the tsunami in Madifushi, Maldives (Ref: RC6)
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Developed and manufactured in-house by South Wales-based Benfield ATT, the two-bedroom units are designed to be erected by three unskilled labourers, in two days and include a studio living area, kitchenette and separate shower room and toilet facilities. The fully-insulated Kits come complete with foundations, double-glazed windows, ventilation, plumbing and electrical harnessing, together with all the tools, fixings and sealants required. The units can be extended and converted to permanent housing when required, or dismantled and relocated elsewhere.
Paul Tappin, Benfield ATT Technical Sales Manager commented Timber Frame is ideally suited to this kind of emergency-response situation. Within two weeks from Order, we had the first Flat-Pack home containerised for shipping and heading their way both our Technical and Manufacturing teams have responded to the urgent situation brilliantly, without any delay to other client projects.
A craftsman fits the secure front external door. (Ref: RC2)
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Kit maker Alan Dalton pre-fixes the Water Tank into roof. (Ref: RC3)
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Timber Frame could provide an excellent starting-point for instant regeneration in disaster-affected communities. MD of Benfield ATT Professor Michael Benfield suggests that this is a major step forward for society, commenting The uptake of Timber Frame can significantly reduce our impact upon Climate Change. By minimising carbon emissions and ˜locking-up" the carbon, we hope that climate-linked weather disasters are reduced for future generations. This isn't going to happen overnight, but the British Red Cross have made a small step in the right direction.
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For more information, please contact:
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Benfield ATT Ltd
A leading timber frame construction firm, South Wales-based Benfield ATT hold ethical timber procurement FSC chain of custody and have won numerous Business in the Community Awards for Impact Upon Society, including the 2005 ˜Big Tick" Award. Headed by industry expert and Green Party co-founder Professor Michael Benfield, the firm also holds unique Quality Assurance endorsements and has a high profile in the Construction industry.
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For more information, telephone Kelvin Godhard in Benfield ATT's Corporate Communications Department on 01291 437050 or email KelvinG@benfieldatt.co.uk.
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The British Red Cross
The British Red Cross is a leading member of the largest independent humanitarian organisation in the world the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Providing relief to people in crisis both in the UK and overseas is at the heart of their work. They respond immediately to conflicts and disasters around the world, providing essentials such as food, clean water, shelter and medicines. A global network of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers means that they are often first on the scene.
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For more information telephone Becky Webb, Media & PR Officer at British Red Cross on 0207 877 70396 or email bwebb@redcross.org.uk.
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Press Release distributed: 26 August 2005. Click below to view on news sites.
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